His ex-wife gazed across the porch at Seth. “Obviously.”
“How long has he been out there?” Beck asked.
Liam approached, looking grim. “Since I ran into you on the stairs.”
“What’s wrong?” Gloria asked.
Heavenly shrugged. “We think the horrible things that happened here today were too much for him.”
“The death?” Gloria sent them a dubious frown. “He was a homicide detective—in New York City. He’s seen far worse.”
“Maybe PTSD?” Beck offered, not that he expected his ex-wife to buy that, but if Seth didn’t want to share his secrets with the people he loved, he wouldn’t want them shared with everyone else. “After all, there was a reason he quit the force.”
“Whatever’s going on, he’s really upset.” Heavenly tried to hold her emotions in and failed miserably. “He’s shutting us out.”
“Oh, honey,” Gloria cooed, dragging Heavenly into her arms. “He’ll come around. Trust me. When it comes to men, I’m an expert. You just need to give him some time.”
“She’s right,” Raine added with an encouraging best-friend smile. “Today was a lot for everyone. I’m sure he’ll be fine once he has time to process.”
“I hope you’re right, princess.” Beck squeezed her shoulder. The carnage couldn’t have been easy on the woman who’d had to kill her father. They had that in common.
“I am. Time really does heal all wounds.”
Heavenly took Raine’s hand and squeezed. “Thanks. How long are you three planning to stay?”
“Liam will be meeting with some contractors tomorrow. We intended to stay for Adam’s funeral, but Ngaire says she’s flying him back home to Oregon. We’d attend, but she wants to keep her husband’s service to immediate family only. So we’ll probably be home Sunday morning. I’ll call you. Maybe we can all get together for dinner one night next week?”
“I’d like that.” Heavenly did her best to smile.
But she was probably thinking what Beck was—they’d get together if Seth was doing better by then. If not… He really didn’t want to consider that. Seth closing himself off from them would tear them apart.
After hugs and goodbyes, Heavenly stepped away from Gloria and Raine, then turned her attention to Seth, still alone on the porch.
Gut tensing, Beck clapped Buddy on the shoulder, then released Liam’s hand. “Thanks again, man. For everything. I owe you. Send me the bill for the repairs—”
“We’ll deal with it later. You have bigger worries now.” Liam’s gaze followed Heavenly walking softly toward the back door.
“You going to be all right?” Hammer asked.
His old friend asked a great fucking question. “All I can do is try, man. You all take care. I’ll send you updates on Dean once I’ve seen him.”
The men nodded, then he turned to Gloria, wrapping her in a tight hug. She patted his back, then eased away with a reassuring smile.
“Heavenly, I’m going to load up the car. If Seth gives you any shit about leaving, blame it on me.”
She shook her head. “Hopefully, it won’t come to that.”
Then she reached a shaking hand to the back door. It glided open as Beck grabbed the suitcases and hauled them out. He slid into the driver’s seat and waited, hoping that a change of scenery was all Seth needed.
If not, Beck didn’t know what the fuck he was going to do.
* * *
Heavenly let herself out the back door of Liam’s luxurious lodge, the chilly mountain air brushing her face. Since Beck’s biological family and The Chosen from Messiah City had attacked the place from the front, the damage sustained around back was almost nonexistent. Here, she saw no sign of law enforcement, bodies, or coroners. It would be tempting to pretend the deadly battle had never happened.
She wasn’t surprised Seth had chosen the most peaceful place on the property to brood. Though she didn’t quite understand his reaction to the fight, she understood loss and the need for solace, the desire for a moment’s escape. It had only been three weeks since she’d lost her beloved father.
“Hi,” she said softly. “Mind some company?”